Col. Frank Tate, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade commander, presents Col. Bruce Crandall, Medal of Honor recipient, with a gift of appreciation for taking time to share his wisdom and experience with soldiers of the 25th CAB during his visit to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, March 30. Crandall was awarded the medal of honor for his heroic actions in the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965 and continues to show his support for today's soldiers.

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Col. (Ret.) Bruce Crandall, a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965, spent two days on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, visiting soldiers and aviators of the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade from March 29 to 30.

While visiting with CAB soldiers, Crandall shared his experiences and wisdom about the Army Aviation community.

“I have always wanted to come out here to Afghanistan and visit our troops,” said Crandall. “It’s a pleasure to be here and to have these young men and women serving in the Army.”

Crandall began his visit with the CAB at Mustang Ramp to see and talk to the soldiers working there. He stopped at 209th Aviation Support Battalion maintenance hangar, 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment hangar and 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th CAB maintenance hangar.

After his visit to Mustang Ramp, Crandall attended a 25th CAB dinner in his honor. Leaders from the CAB were present to be a part of the unique stories from the Medal of Honor recipient.

“It is always a pleasure to meet Col. Crandall,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Mike Kelly, Tactical Operations and Personnel Recovery officer for 25th CAB. “From what he provided to the service and Army Aviation community, he was my inspiration to join flight school.”

During the second day of his visit, Crandall conducted a question and answer session with soldiers from across the brigade. The session allowed soldiers to ask questions and receive more insight on the actions to Crandall during his time in service.

“All 81 of the living Medal of Honor recipients feel the same way about this award. I was just doing my job,” Crandall said during the question and answer session. “This should have gone to all my men who were there. We wear the medal for the others who didn’t get it.”